18 Dec 2018 First Team Match Reports

Rams hold heads high in Trophy defeat at Orient

Leyton Orient v Beaconsfield Town

Rams no match for National League pace setters in FA Trophy exit

Beaconsfield Towns record breaking run in the FA Trophy came to an end at a rain sodden Brisbane Road where the home team emphasised the 52 league places between the sides with a comfortable 4-0 home win.

The Rams can hold their heads up though. Having reached this stage of the competition for the first time in their history they gave a good account of themselves for 75 minutes when a combination of tired legs and the superior fitness of Orient’s full time players allowed the National League leaders to stretch away.

A slightly nervy start from The Rams was to be expected and initially some passes went astray as they got to grips with the slick wide open spaces of the Brisbane Road pitch. The pattern of the first half was quickly established as the home side protected possession and probed down both flanks with right back Sam Ling linking with the lively Josh Koroma down the right flank whilst Clay and Brophy gave Jerome Ecclestone everything he could handle on the opposite side - The Rams right back making an early entrance into referee Will Finnie’s notebook for a desperate lunge on an onrushing Brophy.

The resulting free kick was dealt with by The Rams who were settling to the task and starting to

realise the size of it with Wes Daly and Dan Brown striving to gain a foothold against the home midfield and seeking to involve the front three but the initial forays were comfortably rebuffed and the ball kept coming back too quickly for Beaconsfield’s liking.

The interplay of Orients front two gave Luke Neville and Reece Yorke all they could handle and the pair were at full stretch for the opening quarter of an hour when the pressure finally told. Mayo

Balogun was adjudged to have fouled the lively Koroma and from the resulting free kick Alex Lawless climbed above and all over Reece Yorke to send in a downward header which Ravan Constable did well to claw away. Unfortunately the rebound fell to Lawless’ centre back partner George Elokobi who lifted the ball high into the net.

To their credit The Rams continued to establish a foothold in the game and immediately after the goal enjoyed their best spell of play which culminated in Bajram Pashaj getting the better of Ling at the byline and pulling back a cross for Charlie Losasso who couldn’t quite wrap his foot around the ball to get it on target.

In truth that was as good as it got for The Rams, who were able to hold their own in terms of possession for the remainder of the half but could not fashion a clear opportunity whilst the home side fashioned several half chances which Neville, Yorke and Constable were at full stretch to keep out more than once. Half time offered a respite from the pressure if not the weather which remained filthy throughout.

In fairness whatever Gary Meakin said at half time seemed to have galvanised his men because it was Beaconsfield who started the brighter and pressed the home side back but again pressure and some good possession was not converted into an incisive approach or a clear opportunity.

Ten minutes in the hosts extended their lead as James Brophy forced the ball in from close range following a corner which caused panic in The Rams defence and was only half cleared. Orient recycled possession and Koroma drove to the byline and his pull back found Brophy who obliged from six yards.

In truth that was that. The Rams huffed and puffed and forced a couple of corners and the introduction of Marvin Morgan provided a different challenge for the Orient defence but they were comfortably dealt with by the home side, The Rams were unable to force a meaningful save from Dean Brill in the Orient goal.

The home side continued to threaten and Ravan Constable made several fine saves but could do nothing to prevent Craig Clay adding the third on 76 minutes and substitute Dale Gorman’s 83rd minute free-kick which dipped and skidded in at the far post.

4-0 was perhaps a little harsh on The Rams but there was no doubt that Orient were worthy winners and it will take a good team to stop them as the competition progresses.

As for The Rams? They have shown in a short time under the guidance of Gary Meakin that they consistently rise to the challenges their successes have set for them and emerge stronger. This was a difficult afternoon for the boys but it’s doubtful they’ll find a better team than Orient staring them down for the rest of the season as the league campaign continues.